DoD Awards $23.8M for SDRS IPT Support Services to Scientific Research Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,839,983 ($23.8M)

Contractor: Scientific Research Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2018-09-28

End Date: 2023-09-27

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: IT

Official Description: CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE SDRS IPT: SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND ACQUISITION SERVICES; WAVEFORM ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION, PORTING, AND MAINTENANCE; WAVEFORM DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT (WDE) AND RADIO PLATFORM DEVELOPMENT AND INTEGRATION; SYSTEM PROTOTYPING AND DESIGN AND OPERATIONS SUPPORT; WAVEFORM AND SYSTEM TEST AND ANALYSIS.

Place of Performance

Location: NORTH CHARLESTON, CHARLESTON County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29419

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $23.8 million to SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CORPORATION for work described as: CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE SDRS IPT: SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND ACQUISITION SERVICES; WAVEFORM ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION, PORTING, AND MAINTENANCE; WAVEFORM DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT (WDE) AND RADIO PLATFORM DEVELOPMENT AND INTEGRATION; SYSTEM PROTOTY… Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical systems engineering, acquisition, and waveform development for the SDRS IPT. 2. Scientific Research Corporation is the sole awardee for this delivery order. 3. The contract spans five years, indicating a long-term need for these specialized services. 4. The primary sector is IT and Engineering Services, supporting defense modernization efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) type, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The total award value is substantial, but without detailed cost breakdowns, a precise pricing assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, this specific award is a delivery order, implying it might be part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract where initial competition occurred.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is generally beneficial for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best value. The CPFF structure, however, warrants close monitoring to ensure cost efficiency.

Public Impact

Supports advanced defense systems development, potentially enhancing national security capabilities. The contract's duration suggests a sustained investment in specific technological areas. Focus on waveform architecture and development could lead to innovations in communication and signal processing. Award to a single contractor for this delivery order may limit immediate broader market engagement.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize contractor to increase costs.
Long contract duration increases risk of scope creep or obsolescence.
Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Supports critical defense systems (SDRS IPT).
Long-term commitment indicates stable need and potential for deep expertise development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting defense-related IT and systems development. Spending benchmarks for similar complex systems engineering and acquisition support services can vary widely based on scope and duration, but a $23.8M award over five years for specialized support is significant.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (sb: false). This suggests that the specialized nature of the work or the size of the contract may have favored larger, established companies.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, which implies oversight exists at both the delivery order and the parent contract level. However, the effectiveness of this oversight depends on the specific reporting and accountability mechanisms in place, which are not detailed here.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Navy Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to cost overruns.
Long contract duration (5 years) increases risk of scope creep and technological obsolescence.
Potential for contractor lock-in due to specialized knowledge.
Lack of transparency on specific performance metrics and oversight mechanisms.
No small business participation noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $23.8 million to SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CORPORATION. CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE SDRS IPT: SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND ACQUISITION SERVICES; WAVEFORM ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION, PORTING, AND MAINTENANCE; WAVEFORM DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT (WDE) AND RADIO PLATFORM DEVELOPMENT AND INTEGRATION; SYSTEM PROTOTYPING AND DESIGN AND OPERATIONS SUPPORT; WAVEFORM AND SYSTEM TEST AND ANALYSIS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-09-28. End: 2023-09-27.

What is the specific value proposition of Scientific Research Corporation's bid that led to this award under full and open competition?

While the data indicates full and open competition, the specific value proposition of Scientific Research Corporation is not detailed. Typically, such awards are based on a combination of technical merit, past performance, and price. The CPFF structure suggests the government is willing to pay for expertise and innovation, assuming the contractor can demonstrate a clear path to achieving project goals efficiently.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and risk mitigation strategies for this CPFF contract to ensure taxpayer value?

The provided data does not specify the KPIs or risk mitigation strategies. For a CPFF contract of this magnitude and duration, robust oversight is crucial. This would typically involve detailed performance metrics, regular progress reviews, stringent cost controls, and clear procedures for managing scope changes to ensure the contractor remains focused on delivering value within the fixed fee and managing costs effectively.

How does the waveform architecture and development support align with current and future DoD modernization goals?

The contract's focus on waveform architecture, design, implementation, and maintenance is critical for modernizing defense communication and signal processing capabilities. Advanced waveforms are essential for secure, resilient, and high-bandwidth communications in contested environments. This support likely aligns with DoD initiatives for software-defined radios (SDRs) and adaptable, next-generation network capabilities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N6523618R3014

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2300 WINDY RIDGE PARKWAY,, ATLANTA, GA, 30339

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,891,824

Exercised Options: $28,396,800

Current Obligation: $23,839,983

Actual Outlays: $1,403,678

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 11

Total Subaward Amount: $2,770,109

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017804D4121

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline